Synopsis On 20June 1996, a group consisting of six inexperienced kayakers in five kayaks and one guide in a sixth kayak set out from the wharf of the Bic marina bound for the beach of Anse aux Bouleaux at the western end of Bic Harbour. The distance to be travelled was approximately 1.5miles. While the group was en route to its destination, a north-easterly wind came up and capsized all the kayaks except the guide's. The guide managed to reach land to telephone for help, bringing one of the kayakers along with him. Meanwhile, the other kayakers managed to reach the shore on their own before help could arrive. No one was seriously injured as a result of this occurrence. Other Factual Information After checking in at the office of the kayaking company, the six inexperienced kayakers proceeded to the Bic marina with the guide and the company's owner. The guide had one month's river experience and about three weeks' sea kayak experience. At about 0830[1], the guide listened to the weather forecast issued by Environment Canada on the very high frequency (VHF) radiotelephone. The forecast for the area was as follows: Winds east to northeasterly 10 to 20 knots. Sunny. High14. Outlook for Friday...Winds east to northeasterly near 10 knots. At 0835, Environment Canada broadcast an amendment to the marine forecast for the area in which Bic Harbour lies as follows: Small craft warning in effect. Winds east to northeasterly 15 to 25 knots diminishing to 10 to 20 this evening. Sunny. High15. Outlook for Friday...Winds east to northeasterly near 10knots. However, at the time of this second broadcast, the guide was no longer listening and did not hear the amended forecast calling for stronger winds. After taking into account the weather conditions originally forecast, the guide and the owner of the company decided to go ahead with the trip. The kayakers were then briefed for about 30 minutes on sea kayak handling and on safety procedures to handle problems such as a capsizing. The group of kayakers left the marina at about 0900 and made for Anse aux Bouleaux. During their crossing of Bic Harbour, the waves quickly increased in amplitude and became increasingly steep. The guide decided to cancel the trip and return to land when one of the kayakers capsized. The guide went to help him, but the waves were so large and steep that the kayaker was unable to climb back into his craft. The guide then realized that all the other kayaks had also capsized. He therefore undertook to assemble them into two groups so that they could hang on to two of the overturned kayaks. Even though such equipment is not mandatory, the guide carried a portable VHF and distress flares; however, they were inside his kayak. Given the state of the sea, he was unable to remove the skirt from his kayak without water pouring in and possibly capsizing his craft. He therefore decided to make for land and telephone for help. As one of the kayakers seemed to be beginning to suffer from hypothermia, he asked him to hang on to the stern of his kayak and took him with him. Once ashore, the guide proceeded to a house and telephoned for help. He then went to the Bic marina to borrow a boat, but none was available. The kayaking company does not own a boat which could be used to recover persons in the water. Meanwhile, the five kayakers who were still in the water drifted toward le d'Amours where they managed to land. They were picked up and taken to hospital in Rimouski where they were treated for mild hypothermia.